The play "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" was originally written for the puppet theater (Bunraku) and staged for the first time
in the 11th lunar month of 1747 in ďsaka at the Takemotoza. It was adapted for Kabuki the following year and staged for the first time
in the 1st lunar month of 1748 in Ise with Kataoka Nizaemon IV (Tokaiya Ginpei, Yokawa no Zenji Kakuhan) and Yamamoto Koheiji (Tadanobu).
It was performed for the first time in a city licensed theater in the 5th lunar month of 1748, in Edo at
the Nakamuraza [casting].

The landscape is lit by strange fox-fires. Four priests who have been bewitched by the fox's magic appear and perform a comic dance.

The ringleader of the wicked priests, Yokawa no Kakuhan, is lying in trance. He awakes and, realizing he has
been bewitched by the fox, swears vengeance. Yoshitsune's voice is heard shouting; "What, Noritsune!". Kakuhan goes towards the
hanamichi, but is stopped by Tadanobu who rushes upon the scene. Yoshitsune and his retainers enter calling for Noritsune
and shouting their names and titles, as before a battle. Kakuhan pretends he does not understand, but, when challenged again, flings off his disguise
and proclaims himself Taira no Noritsune. Yoshitsune refuses to take advantage of his enemy and they swear to meet again and engage in mortal combat.